Life in the Medieval Cloister

by Julie Kerr

Life in the Medieval Cloister makes extensive use of primary sources and quotations from chronicles, letters, customaries and miracle stories, and the experience of medieval monastic life is presented through the monks' own words. Medievalist Julie Kerr provides day to day account of life in the medieval monastery from the Norman conquest to the Dissolution, with a particular focus on the high Middle ages, exploring such questions as:

What effect did the ascetic lifestyle have on the monks' physical health and mental well-being?

How difficult was it for newcomers to adapt to the rigors of the cloister?

Did the monks suffer from anxiety and boredom; what caused them concern and how did they seek comfort?

What did it really mean to live the solitary life within a communal environment and how significant were issues of loneliness and isolation?

Life in the Medieval Cloister makes an important contribution to our understanding of medieval monastic life by exploring key aspects that have been either inadequately addressed or overlooked by historians, but also offers an up close and personal perspective on a fascinating, but little known, corner of history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Medieval, Christianity, Catholic, European History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Dr. Julie Kerr is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Medieval History at the University of St Andrews. Her research centres on monasticism in England.

Reviews

[E.M. Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I ever put this book on my currently-reading shelf. It really belongs on my 'always reading' shelf! I use Kerr's book as a work of reference for my own writing and enjoy it hugely in its own right. Her subject could be very dry, but Kerr has an accessible style, with a talent for bringing that aspect of medieval society to life. There's lots of entertaining anecdotes about real people and events. Her research is meticulous, and it is thanks to her level of knowledge that everyday readers such as myself can look in on such a distant time and place and really get a feel for it. Highly recommended.

[Tamara]

Is it an adage that the extraordinary and calamitous is what tends to make it into the historical record? This book, therefore, is somewhat filled with collapsing roofs, corrupt abbots, pregnant nuns, criminal monks, hallucinations, suicides, things catching fire and a really extensive collection of unpleasant illnesses. Its a bit of a puzzle to piece together what was actually ordinary daily life, not to mention finding the gap between the rules of what was supposed to go on (nothing leavened by singing) and what actually went on in the regular course of things (shenanigans!)

Particularly striking for me, aside from the amazing love for for drawing blood (who came up with that?!) was how deeply god was in everything to them. Nothing was ever mere chance or plain unrelated, in a way that sounds frankly like wishful thinking pretty often, but maybe illuminates how deeply incomprehensible everything, from the weather to the body, must have been. A world without explanation or coincidence.

Interesting throughout, and with refreshingly straightforward, clear and accessible writing, especially for a fairly academic work. Not sure how thorough it is or where it fits into the scholarship of the subject, but perfect for my needs in fleshing out a praxis for a character in a fantasy book ;-).

[Saimi Korhonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book because of university (it's one of my course books), expecting to be kinda bored (cloisters, monks, nuns and all that is not really my thing when it comes to history) but this book turned out to be really, really fascinating and fun to read. The writing was so easy to follow and kept my interest, which is not something one can always say about academic books about subjects you do not really care about. I learned a lot, and I am very happy that I picked this book up.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life. They seemed to be as children to me--told what to do, when and how to do it. Threatened with punishment for gossiping, eating what they shouldn't eat, etc. Moreover, the life sounds torturous with little sleep or food and no privacy. If they ran away (I'm surprised more did not), and came back (I'm surprised many did), they were then subject to physical torture--beatings, reduced food rations, and social stigmatization. While some were driven by religious joy, it does seem that many went to the life to relieve the suffering of religious doubts about their salvation.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not really an academic book but it is a good read. For a subject that could have been as dry as dust, the author brings real humour and interest to the work. It gives you a broad sense of behind the scenes but does not delve into the minutiae.

[T.L. Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book as I finished draft 1 of my WIP. But boy, do I wish I'd found it before I did all my research - it would've saved a lot of time!

There are fascinating facts and anecdotes collected in this handy book. We glimpse the realities of living in a monastery. And it could certainly be tough whether you were a monk or a nun.

I can see just how much work into this insightful study. Well done and thank you.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kerr provides a nice overview of what life was like inside a medieval monastery, focusing on topics like physical layout, routines, prayer, sleep, manual labor, food/drink, dress, hygiene, family relationships, illness, silence, communication, and so on. Her examples are drawn primarily from English (and some French) monasteries, and there are plenty of examples, quotes, and anecdotes to support her generalizations while also showcasing the diversity of experiences and the evolution of practices from the early through late medieval periods.

The writing feels a bit "list-y," as though it were a literature review or series of research notes strung together. It's still a smooth read, but it feels a bit like a reference work. At any rate, the book delivers on its core promise of summarizing the general quotidian contours of life inside the cloister.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and informative. Somewhat repetitive especially in some dry parts near the end. Pretty comprehensive with helpful anecdotes.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Written in a very interesting to read style using original source materials.

[Doctor VanNostrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable--Kerr's writing is excellent, and she moves the account along with interesting anecdotes as well as factual substance.

[Lady Drinkwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite interesting

[Johanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

One for minority interests - medieval religious life. Which it seems to me if you get in the right house could be quite bearable. But the demonically possessed inmates sound rather trying ....... But never a dull moment - pregnant nuns, falling roofs and the chance for a spot of gardening, and all laced with humour and humanity.